By 


MAI PIPES 


Author of "The White Wolf 


"The King's Wish 


"The Fairy Well" 



I The I 

j MASTER'S VOICE 



A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS j 

I ! 

\ MAI PIPES I 

j 
I 

i 

j 
j 
I 
j I 

I . I 

I MAI PIPES, Author and Publisher | 

I +613 N. Kedzle Avenue Chicago, Illinois | 

l 1915 i 



I "The White Wolf" 

I A Fairy Play in T^wo Acts 

j By MAI PIPES 

I Adapted for intermediate grades. Sparkling, 

I rippling; full of life and beauty and the sweet 

j lesson of love for all dumb things. 






Paper Cover 25c Net 



"The King's Wish" 

A Drama in Three Acts 
By MAI PIPES 

The Play abounds in fine situations — strong 
characters. Adapted for boys. Showing what 
must follow in the wake of discontent. 

I 

I Paper G>ver 25c Net 



The 
MASTER'S VOICE 



A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS 



By 


MAI PIPES 


of "The White Wolf" 


"The King's Wish" 


"The Fairy Well" 



MAI PIPES, Author and Publisher 

4613 N. Kedzie Avenue Chicago, Illinois 

1915 






Copyright 1915, by Mai Pipes 



/^. 



7<J" 



©CI.D 42363 
TMP96-006916 
NOV 27 1915 



CAST 

THE ROYAL MOTHER 

LITTLE PRINCESS EUNICE 

LYGIA, Her Nurse 

THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS 

MARTA, a Slave 

MARTHA, Principle Christian, 

INEZ 1 

ANN [ Christians 

MYRIAM 



CECELIA, Mistress of the Lions 

Favorite Slaves to Royal Mother 



AMRAH 

NERVA 

NAZARIE 

PSYLLIA 

POPPEE 



TIRZA 

ESTHER \ Slaves of Eunice 

IRAS 

Slaves, Attendants, Dancing Girls, Christians, Populace, 



THE MASTER^S VOICE 



ACT ONE. 

Scenery: Fountain playing and flowers about low wall 
of pool. Court of the Palace. Music soft and low. 

{Enter little Princess^ sandals ^ white gown, and gold — dove 
upon finger.) Ah, my pretty dove, I love thee — fly, fly 
away. (Throws kiss from tip of fingers — laughingly looks 
about — stage in blue lights — one attenda?it asleep near pool.) 

Little Princess Eunice. My good Mart a, sleep closes 
thine eyes. The Palace waits upon my Royal Mother, 
and Eunice may dance and laugh, for there are none to 
frown upon her, in this hour. 

{Goes to pool, throws up the sparkling drops — laughs a 
happy laugh.) Ah, how thou dost sparkle, crystal drops, 
like diamonds in the sun. {Runs up stage, looks about —^ 
then down — and off with sandals. As toes touch water a 
merry laugh.) Ah, thou art so cool {laughs) woe is me if 
my Royal Mother comes upon me thus. {Dance in bare- 
feet with garland of flowers and end picture by looking into 
pool — wreath upon head — at almost end of dance, enter un- 
observed, the Mother with court attendants. Picture about 
steps and back stage — music ends — silence — Eunice looks 
about, startled — a picture of loveliness.) 

Eunice. Mother ! 



THE MASTERS S V O J C E 

Mother. Such actions wait not well upon a Princess 
of this royal house. 

Eunice. Ah, my mother, chide me not — it is from 
very happiness that I dance. O, it is so good to feel the 
glad new life bounding through thy veins and the laugh- 
ter gurgling up into thy throat like prisoned bird beating 
against the bars of thy lips to be released. {Looks at her 
Queen Mother who stands sternly looking upon her.) 

Eunice. {With winsome way.) How wondrous fair thou 
art, my Royal Mother. (StgAj.) I would I could be as lovely. 

Princess' Mother. {Smiles and comes down.) 'Tis well 
thou knowest how to voice appreciations of my charms. 
Come {to slaves) wait upon me in the court beyond. 

{Proudly walks across stage.) 

{Eunice puts forth her little hands — hungry for love — then 
drops upon the wall of the pool and sighs and weeps. En- 
ter Nurse.) 

Lygia. Nay, weep not, my sweet Eunice — dost thou 
not know it cannot always be the summer — there must 
be the winter — it is then the flowers rest. We are no 
different from all else that is made — we too must know 
the warmth of love and the bitter cold of neglect and 
pain. Come, look up. Let Lygia see the summer of 
thy smile again. 

Enter Slave. Gentle mistress, the fair daughter of the 
royal house of J aims draweth nigh. 

{Daughter calls and runs in laughingly .) Eunice, Eunice. 
Here I am, sweet damsel. 

6 



THE MASTER ^S VQ 1 C E 

Eunice. Eunice giveth thee welcome. 

Daughter. How glad I am to see thee, my Eunice. I 
have come for thee if thy Lygia will grant it me. 

Eunice. (Runs with her to opposite side of stage like 
children — happy — dancing in the sun.) Nay, I care not 
why thou hast come, I only know thou art here. I am 
so happy. I would speak with thee alone. Peace — give 
me thine ear and the story from thy lips again of thy re- 
turn to life by the touch of the Master upon thy brow. 
O telleth me how He looketh once again. It seemeth I 
could love Him well if I too might but see Him. Thou 
knowest I have not the freedom to come and go as thou 
hast. My father's royal wife keepeth me here within 
these walls — never even to thy house have I permission 
to go. 0, I wish my own sweet mother had not left me 
so alone. {Sobs.) 

Daughter. Fair Eunice, I wish I might give to thee 
my Mother to comfort thee. 

Eunice. I know thou art ever good and I love thee 
well. Now tell me of that Master whom thou lovest. 

Daughter. If thou will never tire of that wondrous 
story, no more will I. Thus my father telleth me: He 
sayeth that his heart was wrought with anguish when he 
sought the Master in the multitude to drive from me 
this illness. As my father waited, a messenger came 
unto him saying: "Thy daughter is dead.'* "Why 
troubleth the Master further?" But my father paid no 
heed, he looked upon the Man and spake, "My daughter 
is even now dead, but come, Master, lay thy hand upon 

7 



T HE MASTER'S V 01 C L 

her and she shaii live." And Jesus arose and followed 
him and so did his disciples and when Jesus came unto 
my father's house and saw the hired mourners, He said 
unto them, ''Why make ye this ado? The maid is not 
dead, but sleepeth;" and they laughed him to scourn, 
but when the people were put forth. He taketh my father 
and mother with Him and entereth in where I was lying 
and taking my hand in His, spake thus: "Damsel, I say 
unto thee arise," and straightway I arose and walked, 
they did say. I know not if this be so, but O, my Eunice, 
that thrilling touch upon my brow and the wondrous 
tenderness of that look He gaveth me as He did smile 
upon me maketh me to love Him with my life. 

Eunice. If I might but see Him, too. 

Daughter. That is why I have come for thee. So 
thy wish might be fulfilled. Upon this very day He 
rideth into Jerusalem; from a housetop we canst see Him 
if thou canst but gain thy nurse. 

Eunice. O daughter of the royal house, it shall be 
done. {Calls nurse Lygia.) Lygia, sweet, sweet Lygia, 
wilt thou not taketh us to see Him .? He rideth into Jeru- 
salem in an hour. This fair damsel didst come to fetch 
us to Him. 

Lygia. Nay, thy royal mother wilt refuse. 

Eunice. I careth not. We can slip away unseen. 
Thou knowest how thou hast taught me to love Him. 
Thou lovest Him thyself and oft have told me of His 
works. Canst thou refuse to let me see Him.^ 



THE M ASTE R^ S VOIC E 

Lygia. I fear, I fear. If thy father's wife doth know 
'tis certain death. She hateth this Man and all who fol- 
low Him and hath poisoned thy father's heart against 
this great good Man. She loveth thee, my Eunice, not 
too well, and fear sits upon my heart for thee. 

Eunice. I feareth not, good Lygia, take me to where 
I canst see Him and heareth His Voice and I careth not 
what may come. Come, sweet Lygia, come. 

Lygia. So be it. {Claps hands; Slaves enter.) Mantles 
of darkest fabric. We goeth forth alone and let silence 
seal thy lips. 

Daughter. Sweet Eunice, make ready thy heart with 
gladness, thou goest forth, at last, to meet Him whom 
thy soul doth long to see. {Enter Slaves with cloaks.) 



ACT TWO 

Scene L A Housetop. Enter number of Christians. 

Martha. Well met, Lygia, I was coming for thee. {To 
Eunice.) Rejoice greatly, O daughter, of Jerusalem, be- 
hold thy Kirg cometh unto thee. {To others.) The news 
hath swept all Bethany. Thus it is that a very great 
multitude is prepared to receive and welcome the De- 
liverer who ha.th raised the dead. 

(Shouts without — off — Hosanna — Hosanna. Blessed is 
He that cometh in the name of the Lord.) Dost hear the 
shouting Hosanna, Hosanna — 'tis a good word that Ho- 



THE MA SXE_ R ' S_ V O^i C E 

sanna — dost see Him there yonder over the Hill of Evil 
Counsel? They have found a colt and are putting their 
garments over it to do Him regal honor. Now they have 
lifted Him upon it — they cometh this way. {Shouts.) 
Hosanna — Hosanna — Hosanna — Hosanna. 

Inez, 1st Christian. Look — a little lad hath plucked 
Him a great branch and thrown it before Him. 

Ann, 2nd Christian. It seemeth the multitude doth 
the same; they are spreading out their garments to 
tapestry His path and keep tearing down the boughs of 
Oiive and Fig and Walnut to scatter before Him. {Ho- 
sanna — Hosanna.) {Nearer.) 

Myriam, 3rd Christian. He lookcth like some gentile 
Prince. 

Martha. Nay, He is King and more; hark you the 
Son of David, for that is what they call Him. {Shouts — 
very near.) {Hosanna to the Son of David.) 

All on Stage Answer. Blessed is the King of Israel 
that cometh in the name of the Lord. 

All. Hosanna in the highest. Hossanna in the highest. 

Lygia. Behold He standeth in the court straight be- 
low us and blind men and sick folk and all are crowding 
about Him and lo, they go forth from Him whole. 

Inez. See yonder the chief Priests and Scribes and 
Pharisees, they but standeth silent with wonderment, 
gnashing their teeth in their impotence — for they dareth 
not do aught, they are powerless to do aught, for the 
whole world hath gone after him. 

10 



T HE MAST ER'S VOICE 

{Shouts loud and full — in the adoration of a multitude.) 
Hosanna, Hosanna, to the Son of David. Blessed is 
the King! 

Eunice. Peace, He Speaketh. 

(Hushed the cries and music to low murmur.) 
Eunice. Canst thou heareth — what does He say? 

Daughter. Jesus answereth them, saying: "The hour is 
come. Verily, Verily, I say unto you : He that loveth 
his life shall lose it and he that hateth his life in this 
world shall keep it unto life eternal." 

Eunice. O, daughter of the royal house, my soul is 
troubled — what meaneth these words .^ 

Daughter. Peace, he speaketh once again. Come 
nearer, (i^^^^^^j.) "If any man serve me, let him follow me 
and where I am there shall also my servant be. Verily, 
if any man serve me, let him follow me." 

Eunice. But for this came I unto this hour. 

{Repeats.) "If any man serve me, let him follow me;" 
my soul is troubled, can it be He meaneth this for me? 

All. Hosanna, Hosanna. 

Daughter. My Lygia, how wondrous are His words! 
"While ye have the light, believe in the light — while ye 
have me, believe in me." 

Eunice. {Troubled and alone.) 

{Down, right of stage.y''\\i\\i\e ye have me, believe in me." 

Oh, Lord and Master, wilt the hour ever come when thou 

11 



THE MA STE RNS V OICE 

wilt be hidden from our eyes? O, the utter darkness and 
desolation of that hour. Even the thought beareth me 
to the* earth. Loved Master, give me whatsoever Thou 
doth wish; take from me whatever seemeth best to Thee; 
do with me as Thou wilt — only let me too be of that num- 
ber that loveth Thee above all things, so faithfully and so 
tenderly. 

Ail. Hosanna, Hosanna, Blessed is the King. 

Lygia. Sweet E^.unice, come closer to the wall — He 
hath but lifted a little child up into His arms — see^ — 
behold, the eyes of the Man are upon us — He looketh to 
thee, my Eunice, He stretcheth forth His hand; He smiles 
upon thee, my child, to thy knees — the King of all Israel 
speaketh to thee. Open thine heart to the Master's 
Voice. 

{All on stage.) Blessed is he that cometh in the name 
of the Lord, Hosanna to the Son of David. 

Eunice. {On knees and hands ovt, a smile like light upo?i 
her face, munc wondrous soft and low as she calls clear and 
low.) Master, wilt Thou take me with you. 

Voice. [Wondrous sweet. All listen in awe and won- 
derment.) My child, pain is the only portion that e'er I 
canst give to thee, and sorrow the only blessing. Still, 
wilt thou come with me.^ 

Eunice. Aye, Master, whither thou goest, I will go and 
even pain will becometh sweet to me, if I canst bear it for 
love of Thee. 

{All form cross.) {Eunice center, light, and hurst of 
music.) 

12 



THE MAS T E R ' S VOICE 

ACT TWO 
Scene II. The Inner Court of the Palace. 

The Princess^ Mother in impatience^ questions her slaves 
upon the absence of Eunice.) 

Mother. Thou sayest, Amrah, thou knowest not of 
thy young mistress' whereabouts? 

Amrah. No, my Lady, 'twas the seventh hour I didst 
serve her. From then till now, I have not seen her. 

Mother. Nerva, what sayest thou.? 

Nerva. I knoweth less, my Lady. 

Mother. And thou, Nazarie? 

Nazarie. I, too, canst but add my silence. 

Mother. So, I'll have thee whipped for thy blindness. 
How oft have I bade thee watch closely the apartments 
of the daughter of this house.? And now from under 
thy very eyes she hath vanished. To thy punishment I 

send thee {claps hands and two slaves appear^ the three 
fall at Princess^ Mother's feet.) 

Amrah. Mercy, most gracious Lady. 

Nazarie. As thou wilt look for pity, grant it us. 

Mother. Bite the dust, thou miserable slaves, I hate 
thee, away. {Each slave drags one, Nazarie and Amrah, 
screaming, off to their torture. Enter a third who clutches 
Nerva, who throws her off.) 

Nerva. Lay not thy hand upon me, thou clod of earth. 
{To Princess' Mother.) The day is not far off when thou 

13 



THE MASTER ^S VOICE 

too wilt cry for mercy, and verily I say unto you, it will 
be denied thee. 

Mother. Peace, away. 

Enter Eunice. Come hither, my Lygia, come — all is 
safe. 

{Mother conceals self.) 

Eunice. {In ecstasy of happiness.) O, my Lygia, He 
speakcth unto me — me. His voice was so wondrous 
sweet. "Still, wilt thou come with me.^" My very being 
rose up to meet that look of tenderness and now I know- 
eth that neither death nor life, nor powers, nor things to 
come, nor height, nor depth, nor any fear or creature, 
canst separate me from Him. Ah, thou art beloved, 
dear Jesus, and none knoweth how much, for the love of 
thee is silent and hidden and unseen. 

Enter Mother. {From hiding place.) All start. 

Mother. So, thou too art one of these followers of the 
Man. 

Eunice. {Comes to her feet.) O, my mother. 

Mother. Lay not thy hand upon mc. 

Eunice. Nay, mother, hear me. Open wide the gates 
of thy great soul and let the light enter in. Listen, mother. 
He spake to me with a voice so marvelously sweet, it was 
like unto the music of the waters and the air and the 
birds. He looketh upon me with eyes so full of tender- 
ness my very soul leaped up within me to meet that look. 
Ah, mother, He is not what they thinketh Him to be. He 

14 



THE MASTER'S VOICE 



looketh not for gold or honor or kingship. His mission 
is to help and comfort all who come — wilt thou not be- 
lieve ? 

Mother. Thou speakest false. He cometh to seek a 
kingdom, to cheat us of our rightful heritage — I hateth 
Him, and know this, from infancy, I have hated thee. 

Eunice. Mother! 

Mother. I did but tolerate thy presence because of 
thy father's might. He thought I pitied thee and him 
when thy rightful mother closed her eyes in death. I 
laughed, poor fool, 'twas this power and his name I craved 
— all the passing years He hath held me in his check. 
Now he is old and ill, and all his power within my hand 
doth rest. Hear me, ever thou hast stood in my 
way, thou hast robbed me of the first place in thy father's 
house; thou, not I, wilt carry on his name and hold his 
lands and slaves; thou wilt one day be mistress of this 
house and power from me snatch. I hate thee. I hate 
thee, and now my time hath come. I've waited long; 
the very thing thy father hateth most, thou art, a fol- 
lower of this accursed seeker of a Kingdom. O, my fair 
one, thou wilt make a morsel for my lions and I'll laugh 
to hear them crunch thy dainty bones. Dost understand? 
To the lions — thee and all they who art about thee. 

Eunice. Mother, what have I ever done to harm thee 
and to bring forth such hate from thee.? 

Mother. {Laughs and calls attendants.) To the lions. 

Eunice. Thou meanest this.? {Looks up into her face.) O, 
'tis horrible — those great beasts that devour a Httle lamb 

15 



THE MASTE R ^ S VOICE 

so greedily. It meaneth death to send me to them. 
Mother, they wilt take away the laughter from my lips; 
no more will I see the dawn or gather up my flowers. 
My pretty doves will wonder why I calleth not to them. 
I, O mother, thou canst not mean it so. 

{The royal Lady stands immovable) 

Eunice. {Looks up and a smile^ like light, comes upon 
her face.) Did He not say this day: "Verily, he that 
loseth his life for me shalt find it?" {Slaves fall at Eunice's 
feet sobbing.) 

Eunice {is aroused and looks upon them with pity.) Nay, 
do not make that grief over me — know I love thee all; 
take care of my doves, Psyllia, and you Poppec. Lady 
Mother, know my heart is filled with sorrow for thee, for 
only sorrow canst come from what thou hast done to me 
and I would that He might look upon thee too and make 
thee not afraid. 



ACT THREE 

Five days later. Another room in the Palace. 

(Enter nurse with Eunice in her arms). 

Have pity on us, thou our Beloved; they have struck 
to her death my sweet flower. All the glory of her child- 
hood, all the gladness of her youth. {All about Eunice.) 
Looketh upon us, O Son of David, for whom this child 
hath given so much. {Eunice opens her eyes, speaks.) 

16 



THE MASTER'S VOICE 

Eunice. Peace, be still. {Smile upon her lips as words of 
song come to her dulling ears.) How beautiful, but whence 
thii darkness. I can scarce see thy face, my Lygia. Let 
me lay close to thee — fo — in thy arms- — till everything 
fadeth away. 

Lygia. Pity, O beloved, pity. Suffer us to loveth 
thee above all else and maketh even death unutterable 
joy- 
Enter Esther. {Quickly^ from rear stage^ whisper to other 
two slaves y Iras and Tina.) 

Esther. How is it with her. 

Iras. (Covers her face with mantle and moans upon 
knees) Alas, unless a change comes, she cannot last till 
sunrise. 

Esther. Is there no power that can save her? 

Tirza. Alas none; all that could be done to give back 
life to our broken flower hath been done; not one of this 
house but would layeth down his life for her. 

Cecelia. {Steals up to group unawares.) Aye, thou 
art right. Woe is me. Cnrse this hand that mixed 
the poison, for it madeth it not deadly enough. 

All. Poison, what meanest thou, Cecelia? 

Cecelia. {Laughs— scorn.) So thinkest thou our royal 
Lady's lions did drop and gasp and die from merest acci- 
dent? {All look at one another. ) 

Iras. {Placing finger upon Cecelia's lips) Peace, more 
softly, if thou would st not die thyself. 

17 



THE MASTE R'S VOICE 

Esther. Speak what thou knowest, good Cecelia. 

Cecelia. {Laughs; hands to heart.) Aye, because my 
heart doth break when my gentle mistress is no more. 
Ye are like the rest; ye thought 'twas some strange power 
that didst rob the lions of their strength to do their 
ghastly work. Ye thought 'twas mercy from your Em- 
press' hand that let ye take our sweet mistress, crushed 
and broken, but still with the spark of life within her, 
away from that den of horror. Ye are wrong. Twas I, 
I, who made it so. Since the day I didst become the 
mistress of the lions, I hated and feared them with my 
life. They wert as cruel and cunning as the Princess who 
rulcth them. She I feared as much as they. See these 
marks upon my shoulder? {All shudder.) 'Tis where her 
jeweled hand didst lay so heavily upon me thatitmaketh 
me to scream with pain. On that day our lovely Eunice 
heard my cry and cameth to beg me for herself. Being 
denied, she bade me serve her royal mother with gentle- 
ness, to forgive, and saying she didst love me, left me to 
tears. Many days have come and gone since then, but 
my love and my life was hers. When I didst hear the 
sentence, the awful deaths that jealousy and rage had 
apportioned out, something here didst break within me 
and all the hatred welled up within my soul. I fed my 
royal mistress and her royal beasts, all with their favorite 
feast and laughed as I saw the light fade from her eyes, 
her lips cry out in anguish, even as she was waiting and 
watching for the torture of my sweet flower. O woe is 
me, that I maketh not the poison deadly enough to kill 
on the instant, e'er they struck down the sweet life that 
is the light of our eyes. {Groans and falls upon her face.) 

18 



THE MASTER^S VOICE 

(Esther^ Iras and Tirza stoop to pick up Cecelia and com- 
fort her.) 

Esther. Peace, Cecelia, Peace, thou canst not /lave 
her now. 

Tirza. {Looks about, goes up stage, whisper.) Whence 
this darkness? 

Iras. Is not this the day of the great crucifixion? Hold 
who Cometh here ? They bringeth news of it. 

{Enter three or four Christians, crushed and beaten with 
sorrow, call to Lygia, who leaves the sleeping Eunice.) 

Martha. It is over, Lygia, they have crucified Him. 
Two others with Him — on either side one — Jesus in their 
midst. Since the first watch I have been waiting with 
the rest on Calvary; now it is over. The soldiers when 
they had crucified Him, took His garments and cast lots 
for them and mocked Him and gave Him a sponge with 
vinegar and put it to His mouth, saying : "If thou be King 
of the Jews, save thyself." At the foot of the cross of 
Jesus, stood His mother and they whom they call the 
Magdalene, and they were weeping, and it was about 
the sixth hour. Then came a darkness over the earth — 
the sun was darkened, and the earth trembled and 
shook, and Jesus crieth: 'father, into Thy hands I com- 
mend my spirit." Then with one last great effort He 
spaketh once again, saying: "It is finished.*' 

Eunice. {Awakens, speaks.) O, beloved Jesus, what 
is my little pain to thy agony on Calvary? The suffering 
innocence of Thee shameth my very soul. Lygia. 

19 



THE MASTER^S VOICE 

Lygia. Aye, I am here, my Eunice. 

Eunice. Behold, He standeth there. A vast multitude 
is about Him. They singeth His praise — see. He 
stretcheth forth His hand to me. O, His voice is so won- 
drous sweet. Dost hear? (Smiles and puts forth her 
hand to take His.) Yea, Master, I love thee, O take me, 
too. 

(Voice soft and wondrous sweet. Offstage.) "Verily, I 
say unto you: He that loseth his Hfe for me shalt find it. 
This day shalt thou walk with me in Paradise." 

Cecelia, at the feet of Eunice. 

Picture. 



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